Member2.

NULL

Can I do this? It's a prefab Temco propane insert that really is for looks only...it generates very little heat. I want to put a direct vent propane insert in or put a freestanding stove in front of the othe original opening and vent up the pre-fab chimney? Is this a go or not?

Patriot Guard Rider Moderator2.

NULL

Staff Member

Can I do this? It's a prefab Temco propane insert that really is for looks only...it generates very little heat. I want to put a direct vent propane insert in or put a freestanding stove in front of the othe original opening and vent up the pre-fab chimney? Is this a go or not?

Click to expand...

If you have a factory-built zero-clearance wood burning fireplace, with a gas log set in it, yes. If your existing unit is something other than that, we'll need to know exactly what the model is before we can help you.

Member2.

NULL

it's in a corner of the living room. They built around it so there's a "fake" wall. it would seem that venting out the side would be a pain because you would have to pull the old unit entirely, vs potentially using the existing chimney.

Member2.

NULL

sorry about the delay....the stove is a Temco model DV5200MBN vented gas fireplace heater. I want to rip it out and either put in a propane insert (that will generate REAL heat unlike this thing) or a pellet insert. It's put together with rivets and screws. It's perplexing when i look at it trying to figure out how to disassemble it. I guess you just drill out the rivets. It's built into a corner so there is a straight wall/fake wall (non structure supporting)that eliminates the actual corner. The corner is there obviously, but obscured by the fireplace and fake wall. ill try to get pics soon. thanks for any help you can give.

Patriot Guard Rider Moderator2.

NULL

Staff Member

You should be able to get SOME heat out of this thing - It's rated at 25K BTU input. You should be able to get about 20K out of it. This is NOT an insert. It is a gas fireplace. You will have to replace it with another fireplace, or a pellet insert that has a zero clearance (ZC) shell to mount it in after you frame everything. If it were my home & I was going to replace it with a larger unit, I would tear EVERYTHING out. The framing that is in your corner with restrict you to a certain size. If you tear everything out, you can put whatever you want in there.

Member2.

NULL

great...thanks so much!! i'll send pics when i get a chance. It does put out some heat, the blower helps. I'm shocked that it's rated at 25k though. I was next to a ventless 25k and there was no comparison. Alot of the heat goes up the vent i guess.

Patriot Guard Rider Moderator2.

NULL

Staff Member

great...thanks so much!! i'll send pics when i get a chance. It does put out some heat, the blower helps. I'm shocked that it's rated at 25k though. I was next to a ventless 25k and there was no comparison. Alot of the heat goes up the vent i guess.